Preparing your home for a professional painting job can be overwhelming. However, there are some simple steps that you can follow to make the process simple and stress-free. It’s no secret that home improvement jobs can be intense, especially when you’re the homeowner. Here’s some steps for how to prepare your home for a professional paint job.
Move Furniture Away from Walls
All furniture needs to be moved ideally into another room, if not at least away from the wall. The space needs to be as clear as possible for the painters to be able to access the walls and do their job properly. Also, you want to avoid paint getting on your furniture.
Protect Floors and Surfaces
While a professional painter will go out of their way to avoid paint getting on floors or surfaces, the best way to prevent this from happening is to lay down drop cloths or plastic sheeting. Make sure you tape these things down to the floor to prevent slipping and also ensure full coverage.
Keep Pets and Kids Out of the Way
Now is the time to find a babysitter or petsitter. Unfortunately, pets and children are naturally accident prone, and the work area needs to be kept free of distractions. At the bare minimum, make sure the room being painted is off limits and keep pets and children as far away from the work area as possible.
Clean the Walls and Surfaces
Over time, things like dirt, dust, and grease can build up on walls. They might not be particularly noticeable until it’s time to paint. Take some time to clean the walls with soap and a damp cloth, but make sure they are dry before the professional painting team arrives.
Clear the Room
Be sure to remove as much furniture as possible. This includes decor items, such as mirrors, clocks, etc. as you don’t want them to accidentally get covered in paint. If you have heavy items that you can’t move, make sure you cover them with plastic sheeting. Doing this will give the painters more space to work and reduce the likelihood of your things getting damaged.
Remove Outlet Covers and Light Switch Plates
Before the team gets started, make sure you remove outlet covers and light switch plates. That way, the painters are able to paint around them without having to worry about damaging them. Also, when you remove these things, it gives the wall a cleaner and more professional look.
Move Rugs and Window Treatments
Make sure any rugs and window treatments are removed. They should be stored somewhere away from the area during the project, as they could get in the painters’ way while they’re working. Also, they could get damaged if they’re left in the work area.